Perceptions and Factors of Influenza Vaccination among Nurses

Abstract:

Introduction: Annual
influenza vaccination is recommended for nurses in order to decrease the
morbidity related to influenza in healthcare settings. The aim of this study
was to determine the perception and factors of influenza vaccine among
community nurses (Klinik Kesihatan Maharani, Klinik Kesihatan Parit Jawa and
Klinik Kesihatan Bukit Pasir) and hospital nurses in Hospital Pakar Sultanah
Fatimah (HPSF) at Muar, Malaysia.

Methods: From
October 25 and December 10, 2015, we conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional
study of perceptions and factors of influenza vaccination among community and
hospital nurses. Convenience sampling of all the community and hospital nurses
available in the area of Muar district. After brief explanation of the aim, 100
(50 community nurses; 50 hospital nurses) nurses had completed survey
questionnaire.

Results: Influenza
vaccination status was low in hospital nurses but high in community nurses,
varying from 52% in hospital and 86% in community. The perception of nurses
were considering influenza a severe disease (36% community nurses; 40% hospital
nurses), protecting patients overall of 68%, protecting family (76% community
nurses; 68% hospital nurses) and self-protection (100% community nurses; 96%
hospital nurses), responsibility (94% community nurses; 90% hospital nurses),
as a symptomatic treatment (72% community nurses; 58% hospital nurses) and
adverse effects overall of 78%.

Discussion: The
perception of nurses were considering influenza a severe disease, patients,
family and self-protection, responsibility, as a symptomatic treatment and
adverse effects. The encouraging factors associated with being vaccinated were
working in health sector, afraid nurses will be infected by patients and nurses
are old or having chronic disease; those that barriers associated for not
vaccinated were concern about side effects of vaccine and afraid of influenza.

Conclusion: Influenza
vaccination status seemed to be low in nurses especially in hospital nurses
with differences between workplace settings. Specific continuous educational
and vaccination programs for should be organized to reduce morbidity in high
risk nurses and mandatory policy if vaccination program failed to achieve its
aim.